Fire extinguisher



Alliatented Aug., 27, i929 ARTHUR C. BADGER, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FRE EXTINGUISHEB.

application inea april ia,

rThis invention relates to tire extinguishers of the type in which the pressure for expelling the liquid contents is furnishedby a compressed volatile fluid confined 1n a closed and sealed holder or cartridge; the iiuid being released by puncturing the 'cartridge and then becoming eiiective as a gas having substantial pressure to expel the liquid with the desired degree of force. By compressed volatile fluid ll mean a fluid which is a gas at the atmospheric pressure. and temperatures, but may be either in the liquid or gaseous state when confined under high pressure in the holder or cartridge. Extinguishers of this nature are disclosed in 'prior applications tiled by me, and employ as the. container for the compressedcharge of gas a` homogeneous metal shell or envelope having continuous integral and impervious walls surrounding the confined charge. The compressed gas container here referred to is my invention and is claimed in a prior application filed by me on or about the 21st day of October, 1925, Serial No. Glls'.

T he charge which agent for expelling the fire extinguishing liquid is liquid carbon dioxide, although ll may use air or any other gas .in the gaseous or liquid state. Heretofore, difficulty has been experienced in controlling the rate of discharge of the compressed gas after puncturing the container, so as, on the one hand, to prevent too rapid liberation of the gas, ywith the imposition of too heavy an initial pressure on the liquid contents and shell of vthe extinguisher, and, maintain a. suiicient opening throughout the entire period of discharge of the content-s of the gas container. Trouble has lalso been caused by freezing of part of the compressed charge due to the rapldexpansion and consequent chilling of thev gas after liberation from the container,- the expanded gas when flowing around Lthe container` absorbing heat therefrom and causing more o r lessof the charge remaining in the container to solidif v. thus reducing the quantity and pressure and retarding the escape of the residual p0rtion of the charge until too late to `have any useful effect in expelling the liquid.

rl`he object ofrthe present invention is to overcome these ditliculties by providing a, puncturing means capable of making a disl prefer to use as the/ on the other hand, tol

of gas available for discharging the liquid,v

192e. serial no. ioiQeaa.

charge outlet of a definite, exact. and invariable size, and in such fashion it will not be liable to be choked by bits of the punctureol wail punched outJ or displaced in the course of puncturing; and by providing means for insulating the container from the chilling effect of the expanded liberated gas flowing therefrom. 'll`hese objects are accomplished by punct-uring means and temperature insulating means, of which a preferred embodil ment is shown in the accompanying draw ings and described in the following specication.

ln the drawings referred to,-l

Fig. 1 is al longitudinal section of one form' of portable fire extinguisher of .the type referred to embodying the, principles of the present, invention; Fig. la is a detail cross sect-ion on line 7L-a, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the punct-uring tool used for "opening an outlet in the compressed gas container;

Figs. 3 and d are detail sectional views on an enlarged scale illustrating the action of the puncturing tool lin opening the container;

Fign is a fragmentary elevation illustrating a forni of the same invention containing different mea-ns for operating the puncturing implement;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary Asectional view on line of Fig. 5,' further illustrating the operating means shown in the preceding i figure.

Like reference characters designate the same parts Wherever they occur in all the figures. i

rl'he formof extinguisher here shown is one adapted to be used in upright position and capable either ofbeing held in the user"s hands when operated, or of being by any suitable fastening means to av supporting structure and equipped with a hose and nozzle for directing the stream as desired. llt comprises a shell 10, yfabricated in any suitable way of sheet met-alv or other suitable material, and a head 11 to which the shell is secured ina mechanically strong and leakage-tight manner.. This head is formed with a neck 12 externally screw threaded to receive a cover cap 13 which, with an interposed gasket 14, closes the lillingopening of the extinguisher and makes a leakage-tight joint therewith.

The body of the extinguisher is filled `with fastened y a liquid suitable for putting out fires, which may be water, but is preferably a non-freezing solution or liquid, as, for instance, carbon tetrachloride or a strong water solution of calcium carbonate, in order that the ex' tinguisher may not be rendered useless by exposure to low temperatures. However, plain water may be used if there is no liability of being exposed to freezing temperatures.

Ihe compressed gas container is shown at 15. For convenience of description, I prefer to call this article a cartridge. It is made of a hollow metal body and cover, filled with the preferred gas at the desired pressure, and hermetically closed and sealed after filling by welding the body and .cap together, essentially as described in my prior application, Serial No. 692,468, whereby the finished cartridge is provided with a homogeneous, integral, impervious shell completely enveloping the volatile fluid charge. Preferably in the course of welding and uniting the body and cap, I cause these members to be pressed together while soft,

with such force that an external rib 16 isl formed at the weld; or I may form an equivalent shoulder or collar by other means.

The shoulder 16 serves as means for supporting the gas cartridge in the neck of the extinguisher, which is equipped with a number (preferably four) of inwardly directed lugs 17, the upper ends'of which provide seat-s 18 on which the shoulder 16 rests. Thelugs 17 extend below the flaring walls of the head 11 and afford means for attach.

ment. of a cup 19, which surrounds the lower part of the cartridge Preferably, the engaging parts of the lugs" and cup are complementally screw threaded, but other means of securing the cup to the lugs may be used.

The means for puncturing the cartridge to release its confined charge is a punch 20 having a shank or stem 21, which passes through a stuffing box 22 in the cover cap. 13 through which it is adapted to slide. Its outer end, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, carries a knob or head'23, which may be struck to force the punch inward. Adjacent to the knoby is a shoulder 24 adapted to be engaged with a spring latch 25 mounted on the cover cap 13, for preventing expulsion of the punch afterit has once passed through the adjacent wall of the cartridge. A di erent means for advancing and holding the punch is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and will be later described.

The operative part of the punch is substantially cylindrical, i. e., of uniform transverse dimensions, except the extreme end, which is tapered externally somewhat, but noty to a sharp point, at 27. This last item is important, namely, that the end of the punch has substantial area, which may be nearly as great as the full diameter of the punch, but preferably is a little less. The end face of the punch -is slightly recessed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in order to provide a distinct annular edge 28 the major part of which is a cutting edge sharp enough to sever cleanly the opposed wall ofthe cartridge and make a hole therein of the same outline as the edge'28. A limited portion of the edgef28 at one `side of the punch is dull to insure that the punching cut out of the cartridge will remain attached at one side of the hole. One side of the punch is cut back or recessed, above the tapered extremity, as indicated at 26, for a sufficient distance fronithe end of the punch and far enough inward from the continuation of the A,periphery of the punch, to leave an openis struck'on the external knob, by coming in contact with the cartridge. somewhat before, the punch has penetrated Aas far as permitted by the stop 30, the

shoulder 24 passes by the latch 25 so as to become l interlocked therewith.

The wall of the cartridge next to the punch is preferably made thinner than elsewhere in an area at 31, somewhat larger than the diameter of the punch, but smaller than the stop 30, in order that the punch may pass through this wall when impelled When, orA

by such a force as can be feasibly applied in the conditions of use, and without otherwise distorting or breaking the shell of the cartridge. i `f It will be readily appreciated that when the punch is forced inward, its advancing edge partially sever-s a disc from the walll lio of the cartridge which is opposed yto it.

'This 4disc remains att-ached to the wall at one side and is bentback by the advancing Y punch. Its attachment prevents it from be,- ing iinpelled by the outflowingstream into a position where it would block the escape opening. cartridge and as it advances, its tapered surface 27 bends in the rim of the hole and enlarges it,- at the same time causing the sides of the punch to make close contact with the rim ofthe hole at all points except that where the recessed area 26 is located. Thus the only outlet left for discharge of the gas is that bounded by the recessed area and the portion of the rim of the hole which crosses the recess. The size of this opening may be made of any lvalue desired, so that an exact regulation of the pressure applied to expel The punch cuts a clean hole in the maarre the extinguishing liquid is atiorded, and danger ot' exerting an excessive initial pressure is avoided, the supply ot pressure gas is conserved so as to continue exertion ot a substantial pressure on the liquid until it is all exhausted, and the liquid is discharged from the extinguisher with the torce which will throw it to the desired distance.

rlhe construction of the punch according to the principles described insures that, when it. penetrates the cartridge wall, it willbe" closely embraced by the rim of the hole through which it passes andV that the open-r ing left for escape of gas will be of exactly the predetermined size. The punch does not crack, split or tear the cartridge, as a sharp pointed conical punch is liable to do, and so.

around the outside of the cartridge through the spaces between the lugs 17 into the main bodyof the extinguisher, as it is free to do through the space between the sides and shoulder 16 of the cartridge and the surrounding walls of the neck 12, and presses on the top surface of the liquid therein. As it expands, it becomes chilled. In order to prevent. the chilling effectirom solidifying the remnant of the charge, Ihave provided the cup 19. This' cup' is located directly under the mouth of the extinguisher through Iwhich the extinguishing liquid is put in -uhenthe cover cap 13 is'removed, hence when such liquid is poured in, it fills the cup and overflows into the body of the extinguisher. It remains in the cupenveloping the lower part of the cartridge, and insulating the lat-ter against the chilling eect of the expanded gas.

The liquid in the extinguisher is expelled through a pipe 32 running from the bottom ofthe extinguisher to the head, and passes a spring closed valve 33, provided to prevent loss of the liquid by evaporation, and flo-ws thence through a. passage 34 in the head to a flexible discharge hose 35 having a nozzle 3G.

The valve 33 is mounted -in a detachable casing consist-ing of two separable parts, -an outer partl 37 and an" inner part 38, screw threaded together. This `casing is screwed into a chamber formed in the head crossing the passage 34, and, its inner part is pressed against, agasket 39 resting on a shoulder 40 in the head. The inner part is provided with a valveseat 41 against which a washer l l2 on the valve is pressed by a spring 43 bearing on the valve and reacting against the outer part of the casing. The inner part of the casing has lateral ports 48 and an external groove 49 through which the liquid may flow to the passage 34.

rlhe same puncturing means may be applied to extinguishers of other forms and sizes, including those which are inverted when put in use.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and.

6 relates to means for advancing the punch. ln this case, a shaft'ell is mounted in a bear- 1ng supported from the cover cap 13 and carries an eccentric pin 45, or equivalent ment C.

ber, occupying a transverse slot in a block or head 4G connected to or bearing onA the.`

stem of the punch. A handle e? is secured to shaft All and serves as means for rotating the shaft and thereby applying force through the eccentric pin to drive the punch inward through the wall` of the cartridge. rlhe punch used in this case is otherwise the same as that previously described, and in other respects also the extinguisher is, or may be, identical-with that described.

The gas upon liberation from the cartridge is above the liquid in the extinguisher and is thus able to apply its pressure to the surface of the liquid vvithout lirst passing through it. In this Way Contact between the gas and liquid is limited to the top surfaceof the body of liquid and absorption of gas is of the minimum.'

lVhat I claim and desire' to secure by Letters Patent is: y

1. `In an apparatus including a cartridge having a confined volatile fluid charge under compression, means for releasing such charge with control of the rate of discharge thereof comprising a punch having an iinperforate cutting end of substantial area. adapted to cut through the wall of said cartridge and partially sever a disk from such vvall, and having a portion adjacent to its end adapted to'expand the hole so. made, the punch hav ing a recess in one side adjacent toits cutting end.

2. In an apparatus employing a cartridge having a continuous envelope conning a compressed charge of volatile fluid, means for releasing such luid with control ot the rate of discharge thereofcomprising a punch adapted to be forced through a. wall ot' said cartridge and formed to displace a punching therefrom, said punch being also provided with a wedge portion at its end, and having a recess of `determined area in one side adjacent to said wedge portion.

3. A ltire extinguisher comprising a shell containing a liquid charge, a cartridge mounted in said shell having a continuous envelope enclosing a compressed charge of volatile Huid, and a punch mounted in the extinguisher in position to be forced through a wall of the cartridge, said punch having a cutting end of substantial area,I a spreading I tinguisher envelopingsaid cartridge in position to receive liquid poured into said filling opening and-adapted to hold such liquid, yand means for puncturing the cartridge to permit release of its confined volatiley charge.

5. A lire extinguisher comprising a shell adapted tocontain liquid and including a head with a filling opening, a cartridge comprising enveloping walls enclosing a compressed charge of volatile fluid, means for supporting such cartridge in the head of the extinguisher, a cup mounted in the extinguisher, in position to receive,-and constructed to hold, liquid poured into said filling opening, enveloping the lower part of the cartridge, and a punch arranged to puncture the upper end of the cartridge.

G. A fire extinguisher comprising a shell adapted to contain liquid and including a head with a filling opening, a cartridge comprising enveloping walls enclosing a compressed charge of volatile uid, means for supporting such cartridge in the head of the extinguisher, a cup mounted in theextinguisher 'in position to receive, and constructed to hold, liquid poured through such filling opening, enveloping the lower part of the cartridge, and a punch arranged to puncture the upper end of the cartridge, said punch having a cutting end of substantial transverse area adapted to sever, at least in part, an area from the adjacent Walls of the cartridge, and an expanding portion Vadjacent to such end adapted to pass through the hole so formed, crowding the rim of the hole into tight engagement with the sides of the punch; that part of the punch which then crosses the said wall of the cartridge having a recess to provide apassage for the contents of the cartridge.

7.' In a fire extinguisher containing a charge of extinguishing liquid, a closed cartridge confining a highly compressed volatile 1 fluid, means for puncturing the cartridge to release the compressed contents thereof, and means adapted to contain a quantity `fluid charge, a punch for making an opening in said cartridge to release the contents thereof, said punch being of solid, imperiorate construction and having an edge at one end forming a closed outline, the major part of which is a cutting edge adapted to sever the material of the cartridge, while the balance is relatively so dull as to leave an integral union between the cartridge shell and that part of the shell which is cut 'out 'by the punch; that part of the punch which then crosses the punctured Wall of the car-` tridge having a side separated from the adjacent/side of the hole to provide a passage fo the contents of the cartridge.

10. A fire extinguisher having a cartridge containing a charge of compressed volatile fluid, a punch for opening such cartridge to release the contents thereof, said punch hav- 9 ing an edge at one end forming a closed outline, which edge is of cutting character throughout all but a minor portion of its extent, and having an enlarging taper from the cutting edge, the part of the punch adjacent to said taper being cylindrical and having a fiattened portion at one side.

11. In an apparatus employinga cartridge havlnga continuous envelope confining a compressed charge of volatlle Huid, means for releasing such fluid with control of the rate of discharge ,thereof comprising a punch having a portion Iadapted to be forced \through the Wall of such cartridge and formed with uniform transverse dimensions throughout its operative length,'except at its extremity, Where it istapered to an imperforate end face of slightlyl smaller dimensions, the edges of which are adapted to Vdisplace a. punching from said' wall, the ytransverse outline of the punch back from the tapered zone thereof being similar in outline to'said end face, .except at one side, such side being recessed.

In testlmony whereof I have aiiixed my signature.

ARTHUR C. BADGER. 

